Du Shiniang

Du Shiniang (杜十娘) is a popular story and theatre plot in China.

[3][4] "Du Shiniang Angrily Sinks a Treasure Chest" is a short parody novel by Ming dynasty novelist Feng Menglong, and it is one of the most familiar sources to most modern readers when it comes to this story.

However, the images of Du Shiniang in the two works are very different, both in terms of ideology and character, and they have their own characteristics, which cannot be judged simply by which is better or worse.

Li Jia's father is a spokesperson for feudal ethics, he will never allow his son to marry a prostitute and go home.

It is impossible for a prostitute who longs for freedom and love to live at the bottom of society to change her destiny.

His selfishness, meanness, and love of money are the direct reasons for Du Shiniang's suicide.

He does not understand Du Shiniang's inner pain and desire to pursue a happy life at all.

He also grasped that Li Jia had no money and could not go home to explain, and expressed that he was willing to give a thousand pieces of silver in exchange for Shi Niang.